Workman vehicular homicide hearing continued until Feb. 9

Johnny Otis Workman

Superior Court Judge Eugene M. Benton agreed to continue the motion status for Johnny Otis Workman until February to allow attorneys on both sides more time to review a report from the Georgia State Patrol.

Workman is charged with homicide by vehicle in the first degree, driving under the influence, driving under the influence combined influence, driving under the influence controlled substance, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, reckless driving, driving while license suspended, failure to maintain lane and operating a vehicle without insurance.

According to Newton County Sheriff’s Office 1st Lt. Mark Mitchell, deputies were called to Access Road at Old Oxford just before 3 a.m. on July 5 and when they arrived found that a Pontiac Grand Prix — allegedly driven by Workman — and a motorcycle had collided. The driver of the motorcycle, 45-year-old David J. Nunnelley of Oxford was pronounced dead on the scene.

On July 16 Workman was formally charged in Nunnelley’s death. Trooper Brian Cuendet with the GSP allege that moments before the accident occurred troopers had attempted to stop Workman, who stopped briefly, then reportedly fled when the trooper exited his patrol vehicle. Workman allegedly lost control of his vehicle and entered the opposing lane of traffic, striking the motorcycle being driven by Nunnelley.

Bond was denied in August and public defender Jennifer Arndt, who represents Workman, requested that Benton continue the motion hearing and prepare for the possibility of an evidentiary hearing with troopers from the GSP in February. The report from the GSP was given to attorneys late and the continuance will allow them ample time to view it as well as time to file motions to suppress certain statement should they choose to do so.